My new boat build: Glaciercraft

[spoiled one]

I have been researching custom aluminum boat builders along the West Coast and into BCfor several years. I kept coming back to a local Alaskan builder. Alaska Offshore Marine and Glaciercraft. The fit and finish is second to none, plus I could see the progress in person. That was important to me since this is a once in a life time boat for my family and I. Here are a few pictures from my "journey" and what a ride it has been. Two and a half year wait from once I wrote the first check. She is nearly completed. I am just waiting for windows and motors.


Boat in jig. All parts are cut on a computerized CNC router table. The sides are .19" and the bottom is .25"


Here is a pic with me standing on the bottom of the hull withh the lead welder. Hopefully this is the only time I have to stand on this side of the boat!


A pic of the framing for the floor. There are three 135 gallon fuel tanks under there.



The cabin roughed in. I am 6'6" and am the shortest guy in the family, so the cabin is 6'10" at the aft sloping down to 6'7" at the helm.

[spoiled one]

The berth. I have two removable cots that will hang, so that I will be able to sleep five up front.


Head and shower.


Wallas stove and sink.


Oven and cabinets.


Cabin.

[spoiled one]

After a 2.5 year wait, the name is appropriate.



Patience is 30' x 10' and will be powered by F250's. She is fully insulated and heated with an Espar diesel furnace. The windows should be in next week and the motors will follow. It has been a long, long haul with a lot of hurry up and waiting going on. I will post the finished product when that comes, including a deluxe cleaning station to process fish and shrimp. It is almost time to get it bloody! Spring bears are just around the corner.

thanks for looking,

Pete

[welder]

She is SWEET , more pics.
What kind of power are ya going with?

And what is her over all size?

[Chaps]

Absolutely gorgeous!!

Does the builder have a website?

Lester he's going with twin Yam 250 4 st

[spoiled one]

She is SWEET , more pics.
What kind of power are ya going with?

And what is her over all size?

I will post more picts once she is finished. Daylight is scarce up here these days. I will be strapping on a pair of F250's. I just need to go and pick them up.

30 foot by 10 foot. (just the hull)

[spoiled one]

Absolutely gorgeous!!

Does the builder have a website?

Lester he's going with twin Yam 250 4 st

here you go: www.glaciercraft.com

[peterbo3]

Spoiled One,
That boat is an absolute battleship. The attention to detail is first class but I guess Alaska is a place where anything less than perfect will come out & bite you on the butt.
You plan to do some longer trips? Commercial fishing? Patience is a virtue but to wait over two years is way beyond that. My boat is only six weeks behind schedule & I would be really jumpy except that the weather has been shocking. Hope to see more pics as progress is made.

[JETTYWOLF]

"YOUR A BETTER MAN THAN I"......whewww, two years!!

But as they say, good things come to those who wait.

Why so long, were they that backed up? Was there a welder strike?
hahahhaha...

This is why AAB.com is here. If you were on some other "boating" web site ya may not have many people that share in your passion and decision, and look at that boat and say.....GORGEOUS!

I saw that first pic you posted, and then wondered, what happened to him. Glad to see the participation, and the insightful photos.

3- 135 Gallon fuel tanks? Wow, maybe the name ought to be
"MY TANKER".

I'd have to sell my next born to fill those. And what's the $$ for fuel in your area of AK? $4.00 at least?

I really like seeing others in other areas of the world, that's what I like most about AAB.com

[AlloyToy]

Awesome boat & pics!!!!!

Do all these manufacturers using alum. diamond plate put a slip resistant coating on the floors? My diamond plate loading dock is slippery as _hit when it's wet.

[Bob5292]

I like it! What kind of non-skid is that on the bow?

Bob

[spoiled one]

"YOUR A BETTER MAN THAN I"......whewww, two years!!

But as they say, good things come to those who wait.

Why so long, were they that backed up? Was there a welder strike?
hahahhaha...

This is why AAB.com is here. If you were on some other "boating" web site ya may not have many people that share in your passion and decision, and look at that boat and say.....GORGEOUS!

I saw that first pic you posted, and then wondered, what happened to him. Glad to see the participation, and the insightful photos.

3- 135 Gallon fuel tanks? Wow, maybe the name ought to be
"MY TANKER".

I'd have to sell my next born to fill those. And what's the $$ for fuel in your area of AK? $4.00 at least?

I really like seeing others in other areas of the world, that's what I like most about AAB.com

I got some weird looks when I added the 3rd fuel tank, but I do a lot of spring bear hunting and stay out 7-10 days at a time. Fuel at the dock was $3.83 last summer and just around $3.00 in town here in Anchorage.
I have a plaque in the cabin that says "This boat runs on gas not thanks."

I agree, she is GORGEOUS. I thought about naming her my VIAGRA, but patience just fits better, plus I am a family man.

[spoiled one]

Awesome boat & pics!!!!!

Do all these manufacturers using alum. diamond plate put a slip resistant coating on the floors? My diamond plate loading dock is slippery as _hit when it's wet.

Diamond plate seems to be the norm. Slipping has not been an issue in the past, but we live in these on the boat


I drooled over Marty's Ironwood boat build pics and really liked the look of the synthetic teak and am considering using it in the cabin.

[spoiled one]

I like it! What kind of non-skid is that on the bow?

Bob

Hey Bob,

I believe the product is AWL GRIP. The gunnels are also covered with this product.

[spoiled one]

Spoiled One,
That boat is an absolute battleship. The attention to detail is first class but I guess Alaska is a place where anything less than perfect will come out & bite you on the butt.
You plan to do some longer trips? Commercial fishing? Patience is a virtue but to wait over two years is way beyond that. My boat is only six weeks behind schedule & I would be really jumpy except that the weather has been shocking. Hope to see more pics as progress is made.

This is a pleasure boat and we plan on doing some cruising for sure. I am a teacher so I make my own schedule in the summer. It is time to make some memories with the kiddoes!

[AlloyToy]

spoiled,

You will create some awesome memories for your family. Some of the best memories for my boys is on the water.

Question, not direct to your boat but what in roud numbers start to finish does a boat like that cost to built? Also, you waited two years.......being in the metal cutting business I know that the cost of aluminum has gone through the rough. Do you absorb the price increase over the two year period if the cost of the materials increases?

I'm not trying to be blunt, but from a manufacturer stand point I'm curious how they work this.

Best of luck with her. I'm sure you will be extremely happy!!

[spoiled one]

spoiled,

You will create some awesome memories for your family. Some of the best memories for my boys is on the water.

Question, not direct to your boat but what in roud numbers start to finish does a boat like that cost to built? Also, you waited two years.......being in the metal cutting business I know that the cost of aluminum has gone through the rough. Do you absorb the price increase over the two year period if the cost of the materials increases?

I'm not trying to be blunt, but from a manufacturer stand point I'm curious how they work this.

Best of luck with her. I'm sure you will be extremely happy!!

I agree about the memories. My fondest memories growing up were enjoying the outdoors with the family.

My overall cost is $155K. I just had it appraised and the appraisel came back at $235K. The cost of this boat (base model) has gone up $20K since the fall of 05. The builder must have eaten the increase in the cost of aluminum?

We cannot wait to get her wet and bloody!

[AlloyToy]

What do you mainly catch up your way? Halibut, Salmon.........Cod?

Great dual purpose family fisher, built for a lifetime!!!

[spoiled one]

What do you mainly catch up your way? Halibut, Salmon.........Cod?

Great dual purpose family fisher, built for a lifetime!!!

We do a lot of shrimping, salmon, halibut, ling cod, and rock fishing. I also love bear hunting, so this is going to be a multi purpose machine for us.
here are some pics


ling cod


another ling

[AlloyToy]

Awesome, a lot different than those white belly cod we get here in Massachusetts



Those sucker have some nasty teeth!!!!

Beautiful country there!!!!


Keep the pics coming.....great stuff!!

[JETTYWOLF]

What do you do in Alaska, if you don't mind telling the whole world on Cyberspace?

Because this gig in Florida I have just ain't working too good.....

BTW, I'd like (4) of those lil' Scrimps broiled and on a sub-roll, with some slaw on top please. :shock:
Yeah, I can eat that much! :P

-Have ya seen the size of my belly?

--------
Alloy...I can finally see how you mounted that pole holder on "our" stern rail. Looks to be that you took that and just thru-bolted it with out any modifications?

[spoiled one]

Awesome, a lot different than those white belly cod we get here in Massachusetts



Those sucker have some nasty teeth!!!!

Beautiful country there!!!!


Keep the pics coming.....great stuff!!

In my opinion, all cod are great to eat. Fish tacos or fish sandwiches with cod are hard to beat!

[spoiled one]

What do you do in Alaska, if you don't mind telling the whole world on Cyberspace?

Because this gig in Florida I have just ain't working too good.....

BTW, I'd like (4) of those lil' Scrimps broiled and on a sub-roll, with some slaw on top please. :shock:
Yeah, I can eat that much! :P

-Have ya seen the size of my belly?

--------
Alloy...I can finally see how you mounted that pole holder on "our" stern rail. Looks to be that you took that and just thru-bolted it with out any modifications?

I am a teacher and the owner of a small business. I did not marry another teacher, though!:D

You only want four? I am allowed 5 shrimp pots where I fish. I long line them all on one string. It is not uncommon to pull 10-15 gallons over night. I am sure you could handle 5 or 6 shrimp sandwiches!:eek:

[Ironwoodtuna]

I drooled over Marty's Ironwood boat build pics and really liked the look of the synthetic teak and am considering using it in the cabin.

Hey Pete,

Great Post! She is a lovely looking lady,

I can't beleive it took two years to get her built. "PATIENCE" that's an ok name but I think you should have named "I'AM A SAINT" ....WOW, I was loosing my mine watching and waiting just 4-months for mine. God Bless your patience! They did do some beautiful work for you!

I love your big beefy bow rails, Now looking back, I really wish I would have had bow rails put on, but I was squeezing & tossing nickles around like they were manhole covers when I was under construction. I stayed to the penny on my budget with all changes. This was hard to do, but I managed to stay focused.

The below picture is of the sheet flooring which is like a hardened type of linoleum floor which after three years is holding up great.



This other material is the tounge and groove PVC Plasteck deaking which will weight more, last longer and completely sound deadend and insulate your floor for you. It is also more expensive, but if you figure that cost over the 40-year guarantee they give you in sunlight, its super cheap!



I like the high bow they gave you. I'll call it a BULWARK, even though it really is only called a BULWARK when the freeboard or sides is extended above the deck line. In the photos I see a heat weld line but I really can't tell if they are or are not Bulwarks or just a raised bow with cabin space below them. Cool never the less!

My original drawings were just like yours is made with the sharp angles. When Ironwood got a hold of my original drawings he kept the height of the bulwark that I wanted, but he added both the bow flare that I didn't realize you could get with an aluminum boat and made he gave me the bulwark height I wanted using a gradual sweep instead of the sharp angles. Same result...more hull for big waves to have to climb over in head seas or pushing forward into the next forward wave in following seas.

I like the larger cabin and all the luxury items you can put in. I opted for a larger deck to fish from, a microwave and a giant tackle/lure cabinet over a stove/sink/heater/refrigerator and a smaller fishing cockpit. Canyon trips due to the cost and the 11+ rods we troll takes a perferred crew of five. If I was in your neck of the woods I would change my cabin by 3-4 feet longer.

What kind of captains seat are you doing, are you going to a suspension type of a standard. I opted for a semi race fold up seat that is comfortable and flips up out of my way when I stand.



I also find it interesting they only had three frames/bulkheads and then the stringers. It diffenttely makes for great volumes of space to put fuel tanks for sure. 3-135-gallon tanks ( I like the sound of that). Did you ask them about this also and if so what were their comments or reasons for it?
Did he give you bilge pumps in each compartment or a hand pump or nothing at all in the forward tow containment areas. Are the bulkheads water tight?

As I study your photos of the cross box decking frames, I see that they make no allowance to remove the fuel tank if you have a problem. I find that unusual, did you see their construction process before hand, did you question them on this at any point?

The pictures of the forward cuddy bunk area and head walls look like their painted, is it just plain flake paint or is that spayed in foam or some type of rubberized material?

I like those big forward spot lights, did you see them in action before you bought them or did they recommend them to you? I was thinking of getting a set of Mercedes benz hologen lights and making a aluminum housing for them and putting then on the bottom of my tower top below the radar. THose look much simpiler...UHHMMMM???

Is that little step platform where your horn mounted for a remote controlled spot light, GPS antenna or what??? I also like how they routered their name into the top cabin roof spray rail...looks sharp.

On the rest of the cabin walls and ceiling did they use spray in foam or NON ALLOY insulation or the lightweight neopreme black foam for insulation? Did they give you a choice or suggest one method or product over another and if they did what reason did they give you?

You gotta get a lot more pictures posted, its so addicting to view and study them. I really like to see and understand how each builder designs, fabricates, and finishes each different thing in each boat. I know that when John was building my boat, I asked so many questions about everything he was doing and demanded reasons why certain were going to be done that way. I think he knew from my very first 2-hours conversations that every time he went to do something that I wanted special or that he thought I might want a different way he emailed me a picture and made a telephone call to me to discuss the optional ways to do whatever it was.

I still can't get over TWO YEARS! You gotta tell us more , without bashing him...

OK, Pete... now for the Million $$$Dollar$$$ Question.....

Would you ever be interested in swapping a black bear hunt (traditional bow-spot & stalk) for a three or four day canyon trip for big tunas/swordfish/marlin/wahoo and a night or two of inshore Striped Bass fishing. Plus when we get done, I live in Chinatown, in Manhattan and you could spend a couple of days seeing the city (if you like that).

I would do trade in a HEART BEAT!

Keep Posting! Marty

[AlloyToy]

Yummmmmm...........bake stuffed, or scampi mmmmmmmm.....